This Rockets-Raptors trade proposal swaps two intriguing players

One NBA writer is proposing that the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors make a trade centered on Kevin Porter Jr. and Chris Boucher.

Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report proposed that the Rockets trade Porter Jr., a 2024 second-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick to the Raptors for Boucher. New Rockets star Fred VanVleet was teammates with Boucher on the Raptors.

“This deal gives the Raptors an upside play at the point, while the Rockets get a “Lopez Lite” (OK, very lite) shot-blocker who can hit a three,” Hughes wrote. “Porter’s deal comes with partial and non-guarantees from now until its expiration in 2027. If KPJ has the same issues with ball security and maturity he endured with Houston, the Raptors can cut bait in a year while keeping two second-rounders for their trouble. The rosier outlook would see Porter, still just 23 and coming off averages of 19.2 points, 5.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds, blossom.

“Boucher would give Houston dimensions it lacks on both ends, and one would think he’s less important to Toronto with Jakob Poeltl officially inked for $80 million over the next four years. A similar positional crunch makes moving Porter easy for the Rockets. He’s going to slip down the pecking order with FVV on board, not to mention Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün needing time as primary playmakers.”

Porter Jr. appeared in 59 games for the Rockets last season. He averaged 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists while shooting 44.2% from the field, 36.6% from beyond the arc and 78.4% from the free-throw line.

Houston has a crowded backcourt with VanVleet, Jalen Green and Amen Thompson in the fold, so Porter Jr. may be expendable.

Boucher is an underrated player. He put up 9.4 points, 5.5 boards and 0.8 blocks per game last season for the Raptors while shooting 49.3% from the floor and 32.8% from 3. Since he already has a rapport with VanVleet, it makes sense why Hughes likes Boucher’s fit in Houston, who hired former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka.